From: Darrell128@aol.com
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 15:28:38 -0500 (EST)
Subject: NR 97011: California South endorses theological classis concept
NR #1997-011: Classis California South Endorses Classes Grouped by
Theological Affinity Instead of Geography; Organizers Hope a Tenth of CRC May
Join New Conservative Classes
When Escondido CRC tried last year to get Classis California South to
endorse the concept of a classis organized by theological affinity, the
classis rejected the overture by a voice vote. This year, a similar overture
from Escondido calling for four such classes rather than a single classis
passed by a three-to-one margin at Classis California South's January 15
meeting. Since November 1995, the concept of a classis composed of churches
organized on the basis of theology rather than geographical proximity has
been a key part of the stated strategy of conservative Christian Reformed
leaders who want to remain members of the denomination despite its 1995
decision to allow the ordination of women. Endorsed by the 1995
Interclassical Conference of CRC conservatives meeting in South Holland,
Illinois, the concept was endorsed again by the November 1996 Interclassical
Conference as an alternative to secession.
NR #1997-011: For Immediate Release
Classis California South Endorses Classes Grouped by Theological Affinity
Instead of Geography
* Organizers Hope a Tenth of the CRC May Join New Conservative Classes
by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
United Reformed News Service
(February 5, 1997) URNS -- When Escondido CRC tried last year to get Classis
California South to endorse the concept of a classis organized by theological
affinity, the classis rejected the overture by a voice vote. This year, a
similar overture from Escondido calling for four such classes rather than a
single classis passed by a three-to-one margin at Classis California South's
January 15 meeting.
Since November 1995, the concept of a classis composed of churches organized
on the basis of theology rather than geographical proximity has been a key
part of the stated strategy of conservative Christian Reformed leaders who
want to remain members of the denomination despite its 1995 decision to allow
the ordination of women. Endorsed by the 1995 Interclassical Conference of
CRC conservatives meeting in South Holland, Illinois, the concept was
endorsed again by the November 1996 Interclassical Conference as an
alternative to secession.
Elder Keith Vander Pol of Escondido CRC, who also serves as vice-president
for development of Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido and has been
charged by the Interclassical Conference with implementing the theological
classis proposal, said he thought the change in the classical vote reflected
a recognition that something needed to be done to keep conservatives in the
Christian Reformed denomination. "The positive vote at this point in my
opinion merely points out that people are becoming sensitive to that fact
that many churches would leave and/or split if they are not provided a haven
of rest within the denomination," said Vander Pol. "I think that was
definitely on the minds of many people at the time of the vote."
The overture draws a close parallel between the proposed theological classes
and the already-existing synodical decision allowing each of the CRC's 47
classes to declare itself in favor of women's ordination by declaring the
relevant article of the CRC church order barring women's ordination to be
inoperative. If the overture is adopted by synod this June, the CRC General
Secretary will be directed to "maintain a list of theologically identified
classes as well as those which have declared 'that the word male in Article
3-a of the Church Order is inoperative for their constituent churches and
will publish that list annually, along with the presentation of candidates
for the ministry, in The Banner.' (Acts of Synod 1996, p. 735, item 'e')."
Vander Pol said that based on preliminary estimates, nearly a tenth of the
CRC's 841 organized churches could eventually end up requesting to join a
classis composed of conservative churches opposed to the ordination of women.
"I have 90 churches that have indicated a desire to carefully consider a
theological classis," said Vander Pol. "With that number, we obviously hope
we can have a pool of many more so we can in the end have a significant
number of churches and existing classes."
According to Vander Pol, the theological classes could take two forms. Just
as any of the CRC's existing 47 classes can now declare itself to be in favor
of women's ordination, the overture would allow existing classes to declare
themselves opposed to the ordination of women and endorse the "United
Reformed Affirmations," a series of statements drafted by the Interclassical
Conference addressing current issues in the CRC. In addition, the overture
provides for Synod 1997 to appoint a committee to implement the creation of
new classes when necessary by September 1. If new classes are formed, they
would "initially be geographically defined by and consist of those churches
which have indicated their desire to join a theologically identified classis
as noted in an addendum to be added to this overture prior to Synod 1997" and
would "receive until January 1, 1998, without further need for classical or
synodical action, any CRCNA church within its geographical boundaries
agreeing with the above requirement and wishing to join."
The United Reformed Affirmations, an extended document adopted by the 1996
Interclassical Conference, addresses a number of other issues in addition to
women in office. "It sets forth the historical position of the Christian
Reformed denomination on issues such as the foundation of our faith and
practice, inerrancy of Scripture, the church and its worship, its unity,
matters of evangelism, homosexuality, feminine language for God, and women in
the offices of the church," said Vander Pol.
Vander Pol said he hoped a number of existing conservative classes --
possibly including Classis California South -- would adopt the United
Reformed Affirmations as a body and become a theological classis.
"I would say that if people are to a point where their classis is in line
with the goals of a theological classis, the classis as a whole could declare
itself a theological classis," said Vander Pol. "Situations and circumstances
do change and they can change quickly. By being declared a theological
classis, they can ensure their theological convictions for years to come.
Frankly I would plead with them as a fellow brother who is searching out
solutions for all congregations in the CRC that they would be of great
encouragement by declaring themselves a theological classis, or alternatively
go on record saying they would support that for churches that need them."
Some in Classis California South who changed their vote this year and
decided to support the Escondido overture weren't prepared to go as far as
declaring the entire classis to be a theologically identified classis,
however.
"I recognize that something has to be done but I'm not sure it's the right
answer," said Rev. Bart van Eyk of San Diego CRC. "We certainly don't want
the denomination to fragment any further. I think the problem with the
overture, while I voted for it, I had some concern because in one's own mind
it's very difficult to separate the overture from the affirmations of faith
that came out of South Holland."
According to van Eyk, the problem with the United Reformed Affirmations is
that they represent an additional creed beyond the CRC's doctrinal standards
to which all ministers, elders, and deacons must subscribe. "Even though
those who put together those affirmations perhaps did not intend it to do so,
unfortunately what they boiled down to is a creation of another creed," said
van Eyk. "I have a real problem with being expected to sign on the dotted
line to another creed. I am as conservative theologically as most other
people but I would have a difficult time adhering to that statement of faith
and therefore as a conservative I would find myself left out in the cold,
unable to really place myself in either camp."
Dr. Henry De Moor, professor of church polity at Calvin Seminary, seconded
van Eyk's concern. "What basing a classis on theological affinity would do is
to draw the lines beyond the creeds to theological issues," said De Moor. "If
you do that, you can do that on both sides of the hot button issues, not just
women in office but also homosexuality and probably other issues as well."
De Moor warned that the effect of conservative churches joining
theologically identified classes would be that the existing classes would
lose theological accountability on the right and risk drifting into positions
diametrically opposed to those of the conservatives.
"What you're doing by having a classis of theological affinity is to defeat
the very purpose of a classis. It is to be a governing body where the leading
of the spirit is discerned in matters that are not clearly taught by
Scripture or the creed," said De Moor. "We are saying it is a lovely airplane
we have here, and we're going to take the left wing and separate it from the
right wing, and we're going to make it fly. It can't fly that way. In the
life of the church you need theological accountability."
De Moor proposed the biblical model of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 as
an example of how the church should settle disagreements. "I don't think it
would have helped the cause of Christ for Antioch to say if Jerusalem insists
on circumcision, let's just let them go their own way, we will be in our own
classis and they will be in theirs," said De Moor. "To me it's a biblical
model of mutual accountability and mutual deliberation we're dealing with."
The Escondido overture would lead to further fragmentation rather than
unity, said De Moor. "What is to prevent the starting of a classis based on
the form of worship?" asked De Moor. "There is no stopping at that point.
Where do you draw the line? I draw the line at the creeds. If a church goes
outside the bounds of the creeds we've got a disciplinary case on our hands,
but we never let each other go and we retain accountability to each other."
Vander Pol noted that Synod 1995 had already formally recognized a
multiplicity of views in the denomination and argued that the Escondido
proposal allowed not just churches favoring women in office but also churches
opposed to the practice to implement their preferences on the classical
level. "One person asked if we were saying there are two different positions
within the denomination, and I said 'Yes, Synod said there are two different
perspectives,'" said Vander Pol.
Vander Pol also emphasized that he was trying to find a way to keep his
church and others in the CRC, not to lead a secession. "I can state that this
effort is not with a purpose to or for churches to be anything other than
CRCNA over the long term," said Vander Pol. "This movement to theological
classes is not being promoted nor is it intended on my part to be any
precursor to a movement to leave."
De Moor, however, emphasized that Synod 1995's decision acknowledging the
legitimacy of two positions on women in office was permissive rather than
restrictive. "Synod took a position on women's ordination that allows
congregations to do certain things but does not force congregations to do
anything; nobody's telling Escondido or any other church that they have to
have women ministers and elders," said De Moor. "I wish that were also more
widely acknowledged that synod allowed certain things but is not taking a
position that legitimates only one."
De Moor urged Escondido and other churches opposed to women's ordination to
follow the model of the widely publicized Pine Creek case, where a
conservative church in Holland followed Synod 1996's rules and received
permission from both Classis Holland and Classis Zeeland to transfer to
Classis Zeeland. "They said they could not remain in Classis Holland as a
matter of conscience due to their opposition to women ministers and elders,
and I'm pretty certain synod will approve it as well," said De Moor. "It's
exactly the kind of thing synod had in mind. Local congregations which are in
similar straits as Pine Creek should explore that option as opposed to this
giant scheme of having at least four theological classes."
Vander Pol, however, noted that the Pine Creek model wouldn't work in all
areas, dissented from the argument that the United Reformed Affirmations were
a new and different creed from that historically confessed by the CRC, and
said he hoped to work for passage of the Escondido overture as an elder
delegate to this summer's synod. "I think some have suggested that the
affirmations of faith are supercreedal, that they are something on top of the
creeds," said Vander Pol. "The only thing I know to respond to that is there
is nothing in the affirmations that contradict or contravene any of the
historically held positions of the Christian Reformed Church, and therefore
do not make a new creed."
Cross-References to Related Articles:
#1995-082: California South Calls Conference of Christian Reformed Classes,
Councils, to Address Women in Office Decision
#1995-093: California South Announces Date and Location for Interclassical
Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives
#1995-106C: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Lead
Denomination in Repentance; Calls for Formation of "Covenant Union" of CRC
Conservatives
#1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End
to Classical Option on Ordination of Women
#1996-088: Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives to
be Asked to Create Nongeographical Classes; Minority Urges Immediate
Secession from Christian Reformed Denomination
#1996-095: Vander Weit Takes on Interclassical Conference
#1996-117A: Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives to
Consider Separation from Christian Reformed Denomination
#1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges
Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes
#1996-123: Pine Creek CRC Petitions to Leave Classis Holland for Zeeland
#1997-008: Classis Zeeland Votes by 72% Margin to Receive Pine Creek
Christian Reformed Church Pending Synodical Approval
#1997-009: Classis Zeeland Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to Reaffirm
Opposition to Abortion and Send Letter to Congress; Classis Rejects
Abortion-Nazi War Crimes Comparison by 18-13 Vote
#1997-010: Classis Holland Acquiesces in Pine Creek Request to Transfer to
Classis Zeeland Due to Opposition to Women in Office
Contact List:
Rev. Zachary (Zack) Anderson, Pastor, Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church
663 Riley St., Holland, MI 49424
O: (616) 399-1413 * H: (616) 399-2016
Rev. Andrew Cammenga, Pastor, Escondido Christian Reformed Church
1850 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026
H/O/FAX: (619) 745-2324 * E-Mail: ACAMMENGA@aol.com
Dr. Henry De Moor, Professor of Church Polity, Calvin Theological Seminary
3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387
O: (616) 957-7194 * H: (616) 940-0513 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 * E-Mail:
DEMH@Calvin.edu
Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North
America
2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560
O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail:
engelhad@crcnet.mhs.compuserve.com
Elder Keith Vander Pol, Vice President for Development, Westminster
Theological Seminary
1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027
O: (619) 480-8474 * FAX: (619) 480-0252
Rev. Bart van Eyk, Pastor, San Diego Christian Reformed Church
6710 Shannon Ave., San Diego, CA 92115
O: (619) 469-5218 * H: (619) 460-4466
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